Pictured L-R at the 2026 Professional in Practice Awards which celebrated excellence in learning and development for 208 social workers from across Northern Ireland are: Colin Reid, Board member, Social Care Council,Bria Mongan, Board member, Social Care Council, Sean Holland, Chair, Social Care Council, Ciarán Traynor, Judith Mullineux Award recipient, Lord Mayor, Brian Higginson, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Social Care Council, Catherine Maguire, Co-director, Regulations and Standards, Social Care Council, Declan McAllister, Director of Registration and Corporate Services, Social Care Council and Denise Hunt, Board member, Social Care Council.
208 of Northern Ireland’s social workers have been recognised at the 2026 Professional in Practice (PiP) Awards ceremony this week at the La Mon Hotel, Belfast.
The Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s (the Social Care Council’s) PiP Award ceremony celebrates the achievements of inspiring social workers, and their commitment to improving professional practice through learning and development.
This year’s ceremony welcomed keynote speaker Marcella Leonard MBE, Director of Leonard Consultancy and Associates, who has over 35 years’ experience in child, adult and public safeguarding and protection. Marcella shared insights from her extensive career, connecting her expertise in risk, trauma and protection directly to the everyday practice of social workers.
The theme for this year’s ceremony was ‘Creating Safer Futures: Social Work Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse.’ Speakers at the event reflected on the vital role social workers play in recognising, responding to, and preventing domestic violence and abuse, and the importance of the trust and relationships they build with those who need it most.
Opening the ceremony, Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, said:
“I would like to congratulate all of our social workers who have achieved a Professional in Practice Award. We know the hard work that goes into achieving these awards and we know that you couldn’t do it without the support of your family and friends, colleagues and managers. Our thanks go to all of them for supporting you on your journey.
“This year’s theme reminds us that social workers are on the frontline of some of the most difficult and important conversations in our society. Their dedication and commitment to their lifelong learning journey in the profession through their practice, energy and the passion for supporting those in need of social work services in the community – is just wonderful to see.”
Sean Holland CBE, Chair of the Social Care Council, said:
“It is a privilege to join the Social Care Council as Chair at such an important moment for the profession, and to celebrate the achievements of 208 outstanding social workers at this year’s ceremony.
“This year’s theme, ‘Creating Safer Futures’, speaks to the very heart of what social work is about: building trust, recognising risk, and standing alongside people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. I have been struck by the dedication, skill and compassion of the social workers recognised today, and by their commitment to keep learning and improving so that they can better protect and support the people of Northern Ireland.”
Three award categories were presented (Consolidation Award in Social Work, Specialist Award in Social Work and Leadership and Strategic Award in Social Work) to social workers from organisations across Northern Ireland, including:
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
- Western Health and Social Care Trust.
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
- Barnardo’s.
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
- Outside Northern Ireland.
- Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.
- Triangle Housing.
- Cranstoun.
- Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership.
- Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland.
- Education Authority Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland Hospice.
- Patient Client Council.
- Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
- Probation Board for Northern Ireland.
- Independent social workers.
The Judith Mullineux Award, introduced in 2025 in memory of Dr Judith Mullineux, was also presented at the ceremony to Ciarán Traynor.
Catherine Maguire, Co-Director Regulation and Standards (Interim), Social Care Council commended Ciaran for making a lasting impact on social work post-graduate education.
“Over his career Ciarán has encouraged, supported, challenged and championed, countless students and qualified social workers to develop their practice, build their confidence and strive to be the very best social workers they can be. This award recognises not only his contribution to post-qualifying social work education, but the quality, consistency and values that have underpinned it. We offer our warmest congratulations.”
Ends
Notes to editor
For any queries please contact: Rita McCullagh, Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement on rita.mccullagh@niscc.hscni.net or call 07591 447804.
Request for photographs from ceremony
Photographs are available upon request – organisations where award recipients are from – see list in press release above.
Award category descriptions
- NI Consilation Award – For newly qualified social workers or those re-entering the workforce – this award supports the development of in-depth competence, to produce well-rounded, competent and confident practitioners.
- NI Specialist Award – For social workers involved in complex decision-making requiring high levels of professional responsibility and accountability – this award supports social workers to develop high levels of specialist knowledge, skills and expertise.
- NI Leadership and Strategic Award – For social workers demonstrating high levels of competence, moving beyond the detail of their own practice to explore a wider perspective where they influence developments and are thought leaders.
- Award for outstanding Contribution to Social Work – Recognises an individual who has made a lasting impact on social work post-graduate education through leadership, learning, innovation and the promotion of high professional standards.
About the Social Care Council – Together we are raising standards of care
The Social Care Council is a public body established by the Department of Health (DoH) to support high quality standards of social work and social care. Our purpose is to register, regulate and support the development of a strong and professional social work and social care workforce that meets the complex needs of our society.